Adjustable Support Apparatus for Machinery
A support has first and second members positioning between a machine and a foundation to support an axial load therebetween. Each member has one face bearing an axial force and has a spherical face on the other end. The two spherical face mate with one another to oppose the axial forces between the machine and the foundation. A shim holder positions between the support and the foundation and affixes to the foundation to hold one or more shims. One of the members can have two components with intermediate faces mating one another. The faces have spiraling surfaces so that the two components can be rotated relative to one another to change the axial dimension of the member.
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This is a divisional of U.S. application Ser. No. 11/162,422, filed 9 Sep. 2005, which is incorporated herein by reference, to which priority is claimed, and which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/610,348, filed Sep. 16, 2004, to which priority is also claimed and which is incorporated herein by reference.
FIELD OF THE DISCLOSUREThe subject matter of the present disclosure generally relates to a support for machinery and more particularly relates to an adjustable support apparatus for machinery that provides both support and vertical alignment capability with or without an associated anchor bolt.
BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSUREVarious types of machinery support systems have been around for years. Examples of some of prior art machinery support systems include U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,110,082 “Adjustable Apparatus for Supporting Machinery or Other Load” and 5,016,338 “Method for Adjusting the Vertical Position of a Frame on a Foundation.”
One type of prior art support system is a tapered wedge support 30, such as shown in
Another type of prior art support system is a screw jack support 50, such as shown in
The subject matter of the present disclosure is directed to overcoming, or at least reducing the effects of, one or more of the problems set forth above.
SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSUREWith regard to the above-described problems of the prior art, an adjustable support system according to certain teachings of the present disclosure has spiraling faces for axial adjustment and has convex/concave spherical faces for planer adjustability.
In one embodiment of the present disclosure, an apparatus for supporting an axial load between first and second planes with an axial dimension therebetween includes first, second, and third members. The first member has one end for bearing the load of the first plane. This end of the first member can have a planar face for engaging the first plane. The first member also has a spherical face on another end for providing planar adjustability between the planes.
The second member has a spiraling face on one end and has a spherical face on another end. The spherical faces of the first and second members engage with one another to maintain substantial contact for transferring the axial load between the first and second planes whether the planes are parallel or non-parallel.
The third member has one end for bearing the axial load with the second plane, and this end can have a planar face that engages the second plane. The third member also has a spiraling face on another end. The spiraling face engages the spiraling face of the second member. The axial dimension of the second and third members can be adjusted when the members are rotated relative to one another.
In a further embodiment, the one opposite end of the third member bearing the axial load of the second plane can have a spherical face. The apparatus can include a fourth member positioning between the first and second planes and having opposite ends. One of the ends bears the axial load of the second plane, and the other end has a spherical face positioning against the spherical face on one of the end of the third member.
In a further embodiment, the apparatus can include a lock engaged between the second and third members for maintaining the rotational alignment between the members. In one example, the lock can include a plurality of serrations formed on the spiraling faces of the second and third members. In another example, the lock can include a cap screw threaded transversely through one of the members and having a distal end engaging the other member to maintain the rotational alignment between the members. In yet another example, the lock can include a dowel pin or cap screw positioned axially through one of the members and having a distal end positioning axially through a portion of the other member to maintain the rotational alignment between the members.
The foregoing summary is not intended to summarize each potential embodiment or every aspect of the present disclosure.
The foregoing summary, preferred embodiments, and other aspects of subject matter of the present disclosure will be best understood with reference to a detailed description of specific embodiments, which follows, when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:
While the disclosed support apparatus is susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, specific embodiments thereof have been shown by way of example in the drawings and are herein described in detail. The figures and written description are not intended to limit the scope of the inventive concepts in any manner. Rather, the figures and written description are provided to illustrate the inventive concepts to a person skilled in the art by reference to particular embodiments, as required by 35 U.S.C. §112.
DETAILED DESCRIPTIONReferring to
In the present embodiment and if needed, a shim system 120 is used with the support 130A to achieve vertical alignment adjustment by increasing the dimension between the foot 12 and the skid 14. The shim system 120 includes bolts 122 bolted through the skid 14 that hold a shim holder 124 in place. The support 130 is positioned between the shim holder 124 and the foot 12. The shim holder 124 acts as a shim, and one or more shims 26 can be positioned between the shim holder 124 and the skid 14 to increase the distance between the foot 12 and skid 14 if needed.
The support 130A has two members. Each member has opposite ends. Mating spherical faces on stacked ends of the two members allow the support 130A to fit between parallel or non-parallel planes (e.g., foot 12 and skid 14) and make the support 130A laterally adjustable as needed. The spherical faces maintain substantial contact so that the support provides load capacity between the foot 12 and skid 14. The support 130A along with the other embodiments of supports disclosed herein can be constructed from steel, cast iron, or other metallic materials. In addition, the disclosed supports can be constructed from plastic or composite materials, which can offer heat insulation or vibration damping. The current state of the art includes heat insulation in flat plane and tapered machine support devices. It is believed that machine supports of the prior art do not incorporate composite materials to reduce machinery vibration.
The location of the distal end of the jack screw can differ depending on the implementation. As shown in
Referring to
The planar faces 142 and 152 are substantially perpendicular to the central axis of the members 140 and 150, respectively. In the present embodiment, the convex and concave faces 144 and 154 are substantially spherical and complimentary. When the members 140 and 150 are stacked together, these spherical faces 144 and 154 fit together and allow the orientation between the members 140 and 150 to be adjusted. Thus, the first and second faces 144 and 154 maintain substantial contact for transferring the axial load between the planar faces 142 and 152 whether the planes are parallel or non-parallel. In this way, the orientation between the planar faces 146 and 156 can fit the orientation of the foot (10,
Referring to
In one embodiment, the plane of the face 157 can be perpendicular to the central axis. Alternatively, the plane of the face 157 can be canted inwards or outwards relative the vertical centerline or central axis of the member 150. The inward or outward canter of the face 157 would allow for “centering” of the member 150 with the third member 160 stacked below. The inclined circular plane or spiraling face 157 can be made in one complete circumferential step or can have a series of steps such as two steps (at 0° and)180°, or 4 steps, etc.
The third member 160 fits under the second member 150. This third member 160 includes a spiraling face 167 and a planar face 164. The spiraling face 167 is complimentary to the spiraling face 157 of the second member 150. The planar face 164 is substantially perpendicular to the central axis of the member 160. Thus, rotation of the second member 150 or third member 160 relative to the other when stacked on top of each other will increase the overall dimension of the members 150 and 160 along the central axis. In this way, the members 150 and 160 can provide axial adjustment without the need for shims and the like. Also, as noted previously, the convex and concave faces 144 and 154 between the first and second members 140 and 150 provided lateral or horizontal adjustment. The support 130B provides a circular plane for axial adjustment without the limitation of a small cross-sectional area at the root of a thread form.
Holes (not shown) can be drilled in the side of the third member 160 so that it can be rotated for axial adjustment. When the member 160 is stacked under the second member 150, a tool can be fit into one or more of the holes to rotate the member 160 relative to the second member 150, which can also have holes for a tool to hold it in place. When rotated, the complementary spiraling faces 157 and 167 will increase or decrease the axial adjustment of the support.
Exemplary dimensions of the members 140, 150, and 160 are now discussed. The members 140, 150, and 160 can define diameters of 2.625-inches, and the convex and concave faces 144 and 154 can define a radius of 3.00-inches. Various angles of the spiraling faces 157 and 167 allow for different amounts of axial or vertical adjustment that can be achieved by rotating the second and third members 150 and 160 relative to one another. For example, the members 150 and 160 may have a diameter of 2.875-inches for a circumference of 9.0321-inches. If the angle of the spiral is 0.6343 degrees, then a full rotation of the members 150 and 160 will result in a 0.100-inch axial change. If the circumference of the members 150 and 160 is 9.0321-inches and the angle of the spiral faces 157 and 167 is 1.2685-degrees, then the vertical adjustment possible with the support 130B would be from 0 to about 0.200-inches. In another example, if the angle of the spiral is 2.5358-degrees, then a half rotation of 4.5161-inches around the 9.0321-inch circumference will produce a 0.200-inch change in axial direction. Various other diameters and angular orientations are possible to achieve various amounts of axial adjustment.
Referring to
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In an alternative embodiment of
Although embodiments of supports disclosed herein have been discussed for axial adjustment as well as lateral adjustment between the foot and skid of a motor, the disclosed supports can also be used as part of a device for only axial adjustment. Referring to
When spiraling faces are used between stacked members to provide axial adjustment in the supports disclosed herein, it is understood that axial pressure on the members would cause the members to rotate relative to one another, thereby decreasing any axial adjustment. Thus, the disclosed supports preferably incorporate technique of locking the inclined faces in such a way that they cannot move one relative to the other once set at the correct axial alignment. Several techniques for limiting or locking the stacked members relative to one another can be used, which are discussed below.
Referring to
In another technique shown in
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The bottom member 210 has opposite ends with a planar bottom face 216 and a spiraling upper face 220. The planar face 216 bears the load of a first plane and can be stacked against a foundation, skid, or the like.
The upper member 240 has opposite ends with a concave top face 248 and a spiraling bottom face 250.
As noted above, the bottom member 210 and upper member 250 can be rotated relative to one another to adjust the axial dimension of the support 200. It is possible that the two members 210 and 240 can be rotated relative to one another to such an extent that the contact area of the spiraling faces 220 and 250 is insufficient to provide appropriate support. Therefore, rotation of the members 210 and 240 is preferably limited to some maximum amount, which depends on the size of the members, the desired load, etc. In one embodiment, the sides of the members 210 and 240 can include indicators, such as arrows, which when aligned show the maximum amount of relative rotation for the members 210 and 240. Other than the indicators, the support 200 can also include mechanisms that can limit the amount of relative rotation of the members 210 and 240.
Referring to
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The foregoing description of preferred and other embodiments is not intended to limit or restrict the scope or applicability of the inventive concepts conceived of by the Applicants. In exchange for disclosing the inventive concepts contained herein, the Applicants desire all patent rights afforded by the appended claims. Therefore, it is intended that the appended claims include all modifications and alterations to the full extent that they come within the scope of the following claims or the equivalents thereof.
Claims
1. A support apparatus, comprising:
- a first member positioning between first and second planes for a machine and a foundation, the first member having first and second faces, the first face bearing a first force from the first plane, the first member transferring the first axial force to the second face, the second face having a spherical surface;
- a second member positioning between the first and second planes and having third and fourth faces, the fourth face bearing a second force from the second plane, the second member transferring the second axial force to the third face, the third face having a spherical surface and engaging the second face of the first member to oppose the first and second forces against one another; and
- one or more shims positioning between the support apparatus and the first or second planes.
2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first and second members define bores therethrough for passage of an anchor bolt between the first and second planes.
3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first and second members each have a slot defined in a side of the member and communicating with the bore.
4. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the first and second members each comprise a closure piece disposing in the slot and enclosing the bore.
5. The apparatus of claim 4, further comprising means for holding the closure piece in the slots.
6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the one or more shims comprise a shim holder positioning between the second member and the second plane, the shim holder affixing to the second plane and holding the one or more shims between the shim holder and the second plane.
7. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the shim holder has first and second edges, the first edge affixing to the second plane, the second edge defining an open slot for passage of an anchor bolt between the first and second planes.
8. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a jack screw bolting to the first plane and having a distal end for engaging the second plane to adjust orientation of the first plane relative to the second plane.
9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the spherical surface of the second face is concave and defined by a radius, and wherein the spherical surface of the third face is convex and defined by the radius.
10. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the second and third faces of the first and second members maintain contact for transferring the first and second forces between the first and second planes whether the first and second planes are parallel or non-parallel.
11. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first member comprises first and second components positioning together, the first component having the first face, the second component having the second face, each of the first and second components having intermediate faces with spiraling surfaces matting one another, the first and second components being rotatable relative to one another to adjust an axial dimension of the first member.
12. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the spiraling surfaces of the first and second components comprise a plurality of steps.
13. The apparatus of claim 11, further comprising means for maintaining the first and second components at a point of rotational alignment.
14. The apparatus of claim 11, further comprising means for limiting the first and second components from rotating beyond a point of rotational alignment.
15. The apparatus of claim 11, further comprising a plurality of serrations defined on the spiraling surfaces of the first and second components to maintain rotational alignment between them.
16. The apparatus of claim 11, further comprising a lock positioning through one of the first and second components and having a distal end positioning through a portion of the other component to maintain rotational alignment between the first and second components.
17. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the second member comprises third and fourth components positioning together, the third component having the third face, the fourth component having the fourth face, each of the third and fourth components having intermediate faces with spiraling surfaces matting one another, the third and fourth components being rotatable relative to one another to adjust an axial dimension of the second member.
18. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first and second faces each has a planar surface.
19. A support for supporting a machine on a foundation, the support comprising:
- an upper member positioning between the machine and the foundation and having a first upper face and a first lower face, the upper member defining a first bore for passage of an anchor bolt between the machine and the foundation, the first upper face bearing a downward force from the machine, the upper member transferring the downward force to the first lower face, the first lower face having a spherical surface;
- a lower member positioning between the machine and the foundation and having a second upper face and a second lower face, the lower member defining a second bore for passage of the anchor bolt, the second lower face bearing an upward force from the foundation, the lower member transferring the upward force to the second upper face, the second upper face having a spherical surface and engaging the first lower face of the upper member to oppose the upward and downward forces against one another;
- a shim holder positioning between the lower member and the foundation and affixing to the foundation; and
- one or more shims positioning between the shim holder and the foundation.
20. The support of claim 19, wherein the upper member comprises first and second components positioning together, the first component having the first upper face, the second component having the first lower face, each of the first and second components having intermediate faces with spiraling surfaces matting one another, the first and second components being rotatable relative to one another to adjust an axial dimension of the upper member.
21. The support of claim 20, wherein the lower member comprises first and second components positioning together, the first component having the second upper face, the second component having the second lower face, each of the first and second components having intermediate faces with spiraling surfaces matting one another, the first and second components being rotatable relative to one another to adjust an axial dimension of the lower member.
22. A method of supporting a machine on a foundation, comprising:
- positioning a support around an anchor bolt bolting the machine to the foundation, the support having first and second members, the first and second members having spherical surfaces matting with one another and transferring load between the machine and the foundation;
- adjusting upper and lower planar surfaces of the support to first and second planes defined by the machine and the foundation by moving the spherical surfaces of the first and second members relative to one another;
- positioning a shim holder between the lower planer surface of the support and the foundation; and
- positioning one or more shims between the shim holder and the foundation.
23. The method of claim 22, wherein positioning the support around the anchor bolt comprises fitting the anchor bolt through side slots in the first and second members.
24. The method of claim 23, further comprising positioning closure pieces in the side slots of the first and second members.
25. The method of claim 24, further comprising holding the closure pieces in the side slots with at least one holder positioned about the first and second members.
26. The method of claim 23, wherein positioning the shim holder comprises fitting an open slit in the shim holder around the anchor bolt.
27. The method of claim 23, wherein positioning the shim holder comprises affixing an end of the shim holder to the foundation.
28. The method of claim 23, further comprising adjusting an axial dimension of the support by rotating first and second components of the first or second member relative to one another, each of the first and second components having intermediate faces with spiraling surfaces matting one another, the first and second components being rotatable relative to one another to adjust the axial dimension.
29. The method of claim 28, further comprising locking the first and second components at a point of rotational alignment.
30. The method of claim 28, further comprising limiting the first and second components from rotating beyond a point of rotational alignment.
Type: Application
Filed: Nov 23, 2009
Publication Date: Mar 18, 2010
Applicant: ROBERT L. ROWAN & ASSOCIATES (Houston, TX)
Inventors: Robert L. Rowan, JR. (Houston, TX), Charles L. Rowan (Houston, TX)
Application Number: 12/623,607